The Judicial Branch of Arizona, Maricopa County

Restitution Liens
In Arizona, restitution liens are available to all victims of crime who have been awarded
restitution by a Judge.

There are two types of liens:

Liens in which a victim may file on their own (A.R.S. §13-806); OR

Criminal Restitution Orders which the court files (A.R.S. §13-805).

Both are civil judgments and can be filed against a defendant's property or future
property, such as home or land, and against currently owned vehicle, such as a car, truck,
boat, ATV, etc.

A victim can file a lien once a Judge orders restitution. The victim becomes the lien
holder and is responsible for releasing the lien once the restitution is paid in full. A
victim wishing to file their own lien will have to provide the Victim Services Unit with
the last known address and date of birth of the defendant and a description and address of
the property. For more information about property, victims can access the recorders
office via Internet at www.recorder.maricopa.gov. VSU can assist with Motor Vehicle
record's, obtain certified copies of the Minute Entries, and a Judges signature. For more
information on guides and sample forms, contact APD Victim Services Unit at the
numbers above.

The Criminal Restitution Order is filed only upon absolute release from the
Department of Corrections (parole finished) or upon release of probation. It is not only
against property listed above, but once filed, the County Collection Unit can intercept
Arizona Income Tax Refunds, lottery winnings, excess from trustee sales, and civil
judgment awards. The County Collection Unit may not allow defendants to register their
vehicles as well. The unit will also continue to report the lien to all major credit bureaus.
After 120 days, the County Collection Unit will outsource a portion of the order to
private collectors and eventually garnish wages.